Nigeria’s Super Falcons displayed resilience, tactical discipline, and determination on Saturday night as they defeated Zambia’s Copper Queens 1–0 in a fiercely contested Group B match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat.
A clinical early finish from Asisat Oshoala proved to be the difference, earning all three points for the nine-time African champions despite playing more than half of the match with ten players.
Nigeria made a bright start and took the lead in the 8th minute. Oshoala latched onto a well-weighted pass inside the penalty area before calmly slotting past the Zambian goalkeeper to give the Super Falcons a deserved advantage.
The match took a dramatic turn before halftime. Defender Tosin Demehin was initially shown a yellow card for a challenge on Barbra Banda, but the decision was briefly overturned after a lengthy VAR review detected an offside in the build-up. Moments later, another challenge involving the same players saw Demehin sent off in the 40th minute, leaving Nigeria to play the remainder of the game with ten women.
Head Coach Justin Madugu responded with key tactical adjustments after the break to maintain the team’s defensive shape. Shukurat Oladipo replaced debutant Rofiat Imuran as the Super Falcons reorganised to withstand sustained Zambian pressure.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Nigeria remained dangerous on the counter-attack through Uchenna Kanu and substitute Esther Okoronkwo, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced another assured performance behind a disciplined defensive unit.
The victory marks Nigeria’s second consecutive WAFCON win over Zambia and strengthens the Super Falcons’ position in the race for a place in the knockout stage.
Nigeria will next face Egypt on Wednesday, August 5, with the North Africans still searching for their first points of the tournament after losing their opening two matches.
